Magnetic resonance imaging--guided breast interventions

The use of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for screening, diagnosis, staging, and management of breast cancer is rapidly increasing. MRI is highly sensitive for the detection of benign and malignant abnormalities that are occult to physical examination, ultrasound, and mammography. However, the specificity of MRI is moderate. These attributes necessitate methods for MR-guided tissue sampling to determine the histology of MRI detected lesions. This article will review appropriate peer-reviewed data and currently accepted methods for MR-guided tissue sampling. A detailed step-by-step technique for vacuum-assisted MR-guided breast biopsy is included. We also review emerging data for percutaneous and transcutaneous MR-guided breast interventions such as tissue ablation for benign and malignant disease.